Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1940
Biography
Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.
Found in 2127 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 23 December 1937
Letter, 23 December 1937, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a pamphlet on a remote ancestor of Lord Peter Whimsey and Christmas wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy Parratt, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Windsor, Nathalie, Emma and Dorothy Parratt. Thanking Tovey for sending a lovely gift on the death of Walter Parratt. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr Mary Gardner Grierson, 04 June 1926
Letter, 4 June 1926, Edinburgh, Mary Grierson to Donald Tovey. Considerations for forthcoming concerts, including Mahler, symphony No. 4, Unlikeliness of getting Cassado, suggestions for a piece to be played at a Sunday concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr Mary Gardner Grierson, 28 October 1938
Letter, 28 October 1938, Edinburgh, Mary Grierson to Donald Tovey. Requesting some written work to publish in a concert programme, news of concerts and concern about Tovey's hands. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 20 October 1922
Letter, 20 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Discussing a German publisher for Tovey's ' Euryanthe' and performances of the work in New York and Prague. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 23 November 1922
Letter, 23 November 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to make alterations to piano scores and translate words, expressing an interest in the work of Passer, Swoboda and Pollack. Typescript, signed in red pencil.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 07 October 1928
Letter, 7 October 1928, Berlin, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to write down a list of songs for a book, hoping to meet Tovey in Switzerland or Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Duncan Tovey, 08 November 1901
Letter, 8 November 1901, London, Duncan Tovey To Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the date of the next Lodge meeting, explaining that Duncan Tovey will not be able to attend any of Tovey's concerts and expressing a desire to meet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi-Salapes to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the first performance of a work by Dohnanyi, asking Tovey for help with the translation and marketing of the work in the United Kingdom. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Plans for performances of a Russian and Hungarian ballet, directed by John Christie. Holograph signed.